SDA will "make use of new technology" to reach out to residents

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) will not be holding an on site rally for the Punggol East by—election on Sunday.

The Party’s candidate Desmond Lim said the party will "make use of new technology" to reach out to residents. This will likely to be in the form an online rally which will be streamed.

Mr Lim said the decision was unanimous among party members and was made on Friday night.

He was speaking to the media on the sidelines of a visit to the Arulmigu Velmurugan Gnanamuneeswarar Temple at Rivervale Crescent.

Mr Lim said cost was an important factor in the decision —— as running an election is costly, and the party is small, with limited resources.

He said: "For the senior groups, we will actually reach out to them through flyers. As for the younger group, we will make use of technology to reach them.

"And also, we are a small party, we have limited resources. Therefore, we have to be very careful on our spending, and we wanted to make full use of whatever money that we have to achieve an optimal value."

He added the party would release details of this arrangement "very soon".

Mr Lim added that the decision was not because the party could not get their rally application approved.

He also spoke about the rental situation of stall holders and shop owners at Rivervale Plaza.

Mr Lim said HDB has reduced their rent by 40 per cent, but should give another 20 per cent discount to help retailers cut down their losses.

Once renovation is completed, which is likely to be by mid this year, Mr Lim said the 40 per cent rental discount should stick for a year.

He added that once the discount expires, HDB should not increase the rental to reflect upgrading works.

— CNA/ck/ac